CMV+ vs CMV-

Jessica Stewart

So... I understand that if im negative we dont want to use a positive donor.

Why?!

I mean ok, if E.M. was a bioguy and was positive and he was negative and we conceived how would we ever know? I don't hear about straight couples who conceive naturally going and being tested... or is it only an issue with frozen sperm??

I think I read somewhere that if you are neg and donor is pos you have to get shots throughout your pregnancy?? Maybe I am confusing this with something else; I am going to go get the blood test done to find out if I can use pos donors but I was wondering what the reasoning behind this thinking was?

 Thanks in advance ladies.

2brides

I dont' know the answer to your question - but I don't know my CMV status (it may or may not have been done as part of my bloodwork) but we didn't choose a donor based on his status.

 If you have a different antigen blood type (positive or negative) as your donor you'll probably have to have a RhoGam shot around 24 weeks. I am O Neg and the donor was A postive. I got my shot and no issues.

ctbride08

its true that CMV is not something straight couples usually think about and yes, there are shots you can take throughout pregancy to avoid complications - however, they suggest that since we do have the option, we err on the side of caution and if you're negative, you choose a negative donor because that is whats best for the baby health wise.  in a very small number of cases CMV can cause blindness, neuological defects, and other issues in infancy. 

ctbride08

here's some general info:

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/cytomegalovirusinfection.html

Two*True

Also, in hetero relationships there is a greater assumption that if one person is + the other one will eventually be as well since it's passed through body fluids.  Not that the LBGT community can't pass it to each other.  But I would assume that for heterosexual married couples, by the time they TTC, whatever virus one has the other most likely has as well.

thiswillbe

Ditto all of the above. And a few links for you:

http://www.fairfaxcryobank.com/cmv.shtml
http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1195.asp

But perhaps most importantly, what does your doctor/midwife say?

Duchess1

Ditto everyone else :-) Talk with your doctor and see what you feel most comfortable with.

Jessica Stewart

Thank you for all the advice! And links!!

I haven't spoken to my doc yet - we are waiting for my new insurance card to come in the mail but I set up an appointment for the first week in May to discuss it. I was just curious on your takes, it always helps to walk in to the doctors office somewhat prepared and to know a little about the questions I am asking